First lady promotes eating right, fitness

First lady Michelle Obama, with Dr. Seuss characters the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, and Thing 2, reads to local students as part of her "Let's Move, Let's Read!" initiative, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The book, Dr. Seuss’s "Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Good for You: All About Staying Healthy," has been updated with the help of the Partnership for a Healthier America and includes healthy foods and exercises. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)(Photo: AP)

WASHINGTON – Michelle Obama relished watching children ride their bikes and walk their dogs inside the White House Wednesday as she pushed her “Let’s Move” campaign forward.

The first lady welcomed students to the East Room for a special reading of Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Good for You!”

Following the reading, Mrs. Obama was joined by The Cat in the Hat and Thing One and Thing Two as they led more than 30 youngsters from local schools in simulating physical activities they can do to stay fit. The grand room— known for hosting awards ceremonies and musical concerts— was filled with children pretending to jump rope, swim, dance and compete in limbo.

“Get on your feet, and show me what you’ve got,” Mrs. Obama said, as the group hopped on one foot, then danced while brushing their teeth.

The updated version of the 2001 Dr. Seuss book includes 16 pages of new material with healthy recipes and helpful tips to teach young readers more about healthy living, such as getting enough sleep, wearing a bike helmet and sneezing in your elbow or a tissue.

The book has been updated by Dr. Seuss Enterprises with the help of Partnership for a Healthier America. Mrs. Obama is an honorary chairwoman for the nonprofit organization.

The reading event was a part of Let’s Read! Let’s Move!, an administration-wide effort launched by the Corporation for National and Community Service in 2010.

The U.S. Department of Education launched its own Let’s Read! Let’s Move! summer series the same year that supports the first lady’s Let’s Move! campaign to combat childhood obesity.

Random House Children’s Books will release the revised edition on Tuesday.